Next-gen Mercedes E-Class to get new MBUX Superscreen

Ahead of its global debut, Mercedes-Benz has released the first set of pictures of the upcoming sedan’s interior, confirming that the next-gen E-Class will get the new MBUX Superscreen on most variants.

1. Next-gen E-Class will debut globally in the coming months
2. Will be sold in standard and long wheelbase formats
3. Will get MBUX Superscreen on most variants

New Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Superscreen

The next-gen Mercedes-Benz E-Class will see a concerted effort from the brand to provide customers with a significantly more contemporary cabin and digital-based user experience than its predecessor. Expected to see a global debut soon, the new E-Class will follow its EQE electric sibling (sold overseas) in offering buyers the choice of separate instrument and portrait-style infotainment displays or a dashboard covered almost entirely in pixels.

Modelled heavily on the MBUX Hyperscreen that's already offered by Mercedes-Benz as a high-cost option, the MBUX Superscreen combines a free-standing digital instrument display with central infotainment and optional passenger displays. The latter two are housed beneath a single sheet of glass to give the E-Class's interior a clean and uncluttered look that's perpetuated by a reduction in the number of analogue controls.

As well as doing away with the centre console-mounted infotainment control pad, Mercedes has provided the E-Class with new digital air-conditioning controls within the central infotainment display. Additionally, the MBUX Superscreen has led to the existing E-Class’ four central and two outer circular air vents being replaced with a long ventilation band across the top of the dashboard.

New Mercedes-Benz E-Class: interior

Among the options is a new head-up display. It receives a larger field and new augmented-reality functions, as seen on the latest S-Class, and the four models based on Mercedes' EVA electric car platform. Mercedes-Benz has also provided the new E-Class with a more advanced ambient-lighting system that can be programmed to pulse in combination with music from the audio system. It's also used as a warning for other functions, including the parking assistant, the intersection approach system and the braking assistance.

The new MBUX system adopts developments first revealed on the EQE SUV. Among them is the ability to install third-party apps. A Dual Light Control (DLC) allows the passenger to watch movies and other content on the passenger display while the car is in motion, with sensors disabling that display if it detects driver distraction.

Another new development is an optional camera available with the MBUX Superscreen. Mounted atop the dashboard, it allows the driver to take selfies or partake in online video conferences when the car is stationary. Although Mercedes is yet to divulge technical details of its latest MBUX, it claims that it operates in a faster and more seamless fashion than previous incarnations of the in-house developed operating system.

New to the E-Class is artificial intelligence software that allows the MBUX to adapt itself to the personal habits of the driver. By monitoring routines, the software can automatically set the temperature of the air-con and the intensity of the seat heaters. It will even wind down the driver’s side window when you approach a parking station used regularly to allow you to take a ticket without having to operate the window yourself.

New Mercedes Benz E-Class: exterior design

The next-gen E-Class sedan will get a fresh design, with a mix of styling cues from newer Mercedes-Benz models like the S-Class and some unique bits to differentiate it from the brand's other sedans. The headlamps are expected to get a new design with a wavy pattern below. Both lamps will join the much larger grille, which itself will come in multiple designs – sportier versions of the model will get a two-slat grille with a big, three-pointed star at the centre. Mercedes will sell the standard and long wheelbase models in various markets.

Expect more details on the next-gen E-Class to be revealed in the coming months in the run-up to the car’s global debut sometime this year.

Would the next-gen E-Class continue to be a strong contender to the BMW 5 Series? Let us know in the comments.

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Next gen Mercedes Benz E Class LWB takes shape